It’s finally the end of term – praise be!! My middle son has been saying sad farewells to many of the wonderful childcare providers who’ve shaped his formative years as he’s off to school in September. His particularly amazing music teacher  – whom he’s been visiting since he was a newborn strapped to my chest – shared with me that she’s trying to alter her diet a little, so I’ve attempted a healthyish treat to say thank you for all she’s done for us.

These lovely energy balls are a great pick-me-up snack when you hit that afternoon slump and all you want is chocolate. They’re refined sugar, dairy and gluten free, but still a little bit naughty and extremely delicious.

Makes approximately 20

Ingredients

100g almonds

200g medjool dates – stones removed

3 tbsp cacao or cocoa

50g dessicated coconut plus more for coating

3 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp rice syrup or maple syrup

1/4 tsp sea salt

Method

Pour the almonds into a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped.

Add the dates and cocoa and pulse until the dates are chopped and the mix turns a little sandy

Add the remaining ingredients and pulse again until the mix starts to come together

Form the mix into balls and then roll in a little more dessicated coconut.